Changes under the hood

I’ve long been meaning to document some of the significant changes made in the bureaucracy since Premier Christy Clark took the helm.

Here are some of the highlights that I’m aware of so far. If I’ve missed anything, feel free to email me at jfowlie@vancouversun.com

Martyn Brown: Gordon Campbell’s long time chief of staff, Brown was shuffled from the premier’s office into the bureaucracy last October. At the time, Campbell made Brown the deputy minister for tourism, trade and investment, leading some to believe Brown might have a shot at life in the B.C. government after Campbell. Clark put a quick end to that, however, removing him from the public service altogether as soon as she was sworn in.

Paul Taylor: Former deputy minister of finance, and former CEO of ICBC, Paul Taylor was named as Campbell’s chief of staff last October. Some thought Clark might move Taylor into finance, though instead she opted to let him go.

Dale Steeves: Dale Steeves had most recently been working as both press secretary and director of communications to Campbell. Steeves was let go last Friday. Clark’s new director of communications is Shane Mills, who previously worked for the Liberal caucus and took a leave to work on Clark’s campaign. CTV’s Chris Olsen will take over as Clark’s new press secretary.

Lorne Maynecourt: Former Liberal MLA Lorne Mayencourt has been named the director of outreach for the Liberal caucus, a position formerly held by Mills.

John Dyble: As previously announced, Dyble takes over as deputy minister to the premier and head of the Public Service. Dyble, who was most recently the deputy minister of health, replaces Allan Seckell.

Lesley du Toit: In 2006, the government brought in du Toit, a child and youth expert from South Africa to overhaul the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Clark has replaced du Toit with Stephen Brown, former assistant deputy minister at Health.

Graham Whitmarsh: Whitmarsh entered the government as head of the Climate Action Secretariat. He was later named deputy minister of finance, where he spearheaded the HST and was one of two deputies to sign-off on a controversial deal that saw government absolve Dave Basi and Bobby Virk of $6 million in legal costs. Whitmarsh has now been moved to become the new deputy minister of health.

Ron Norman was removed as head of the government’s Public Affairs Bureau. He has been replaced by Neil Sweeney.

Others who left or were removed include the following:

– Robin Junger as Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy

– Ian Maclean as a Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

– June Phillips as an Executive Assistant to the Minister of Social Development

– Michael Harrison as a Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment and Minister Responsible for the Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

– Richard Davis as a Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of State for Mining